50 cents per session prostitutes:Grace Mugabe pal MP Makari calls for empowerment
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50 cents per session prostitutes:Grace Mugabe pal MP Makari calls for empowerment

Zanu PF Epworth MP Zalerah Makari says government ministries must help sex workers to set up businesses for them to be self-sufficient, if the country is to meet one of the United Nations goals to end HIV and Aids by 2030.

Makari’s remarks come amid an increase in the number of sex workers in the country, owing to the deteriorating social and economic climate with sex trading for as little as 50 cents per session in many parts of the country.

Zimbabwe is grappling to contain the ravaging effects of HIV and Aids, with research showing that 1,6 million people were living with the virus at the end of 2014.

But despite the controversy surrounding the subject, Makari believes it is up to government’s line ministries, technocrats, pastors, lawmakers and politicians to spearhead efforts of giving “sex workers a better way to make a living”.

“When I look at you, my heart bleeds, I am filled with so much hurt,” Makari said as she fought back the tears during her address to sex workers who had gathered in ward six, Epworth on Saturday.

“I can’t promise that I can give all of you jobs . . . some of you have degrees, others have never been in school. I am
going to do my best to ensure that you start your own businesses depending on your level of education.”

The sex workers used the platform to share harrowing experiences they are facing while executing their duties. Many said it is not their desire to be on the streets at night but were being forced by the economic hardships.

“Sometimes we are given 50 cents woti ita hako zvaunoda nemuviri wangu (do as you please with my body). It’s not what you want but the situation pushes you,” said a sex worker only identified as Ruth before opening up on other encounters.

“My daughter was raped when she was 11 by a client that I had brought home,” the tear-drenched mother of four said.

Another sex worker only identified as Joyce said women taking part in the sex trade are faced with a myriad of challenges that range from violence from clients to stigma associated with prostitution, as well as harassment by law enforcement agents.

She said government must assist sex workers in accessing legal and social services.

The sex workers operate at a red-light zone named
Pabooster in Epworth’s ward six where sex is traded on a high scale.

Sex workers in the area book a single house for $5 and take turns to use it when they secure clients.

“Sometimes you beg men to take you so that at least you can have something to give your children,” Joyce said.

“We are stigmatised and people think we enjoy this, but who is going to give me capital to start up a business? Sometimes I feel like I am not going to do this again but again I can’t watch my children starve,” she said.

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